Monday, August 28th, 2023

Dear Friend, 

In this week's edition of the Lusk Report, I have some important updates to share regarding malfunctions with the new speed camera pilot program, meeting the new Mount Vernon Station Commander, and the 495 South Side Express Lanes meeting and study.

My staff and I have been busy out and about in the community this summer and thank you for inviting me to join you. I want to send a special note to our school children and staff and hope you all had a successful first week back! I hope you've been finding ways to stay cool with our end of summer heat. I enjoyed meeting many of you at our final Franconia Nights summer concert this week and throughout the summer. We look forward to seeing you next summer!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office. 

Email: Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov

Phone 703-971-6262

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Table of Contents

1. Speed Camera Pilot Program Update
2. Meet the Mount Vernon Station Commander
3. 495 Southside Express Lanes Public Information Meetings
4. Educate Fairfax Teacher Grants
5. Healthy Together Fairfax

Out and About in Franconia

1. Franconia Nights Final Summer Concert
2. St. Mark's Health Fair
3. Teen Summer Jam
4. Backpack Giveaway
5. ECHO Food Donation

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

1. In the News
2. Driving Rules Near School Buses
3. Elections Officers Needed
4. 2023 Hurricane Season Outlook: What You Need to Know
5. Kingstowne Farmers Market
6. Metro Wants Your Feedback - Capacity & Reliability Study
7. Free Immunization Clinics for Children
8. Three Great Reasons to Go Solar in Fairfax County in 2023
9. Senior Cool Care Program

Speed Camera Pilot Program Update

My office has received concerns regarding malfunctions with the new speed camera pilot program and I wanted to provide an update.

On August 16^th and August 21^st, Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) shared on social media that speed camera citations had been issued at Irving Middle School, London Towne Elementary School and Key Middle School locations while Wink-O-Matics (the flashing lights) were not in operation. Although summer school was in session and the cameras were operating correctly, the Wink-O-Matics did not activate to indicate the school zone speed limit of 25 mph had been triggered. FCPD is currently reviewing citations at these locations to void and/or reimburse all citations that were issued due to the Wink-O-Matics error from July 17^th to July 28^th. They are working with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to ensure the Wink-O-Matics properly function as the new school year approaches.

If you believe you were issued an invalid citation, there is no action that you need to take. An administrative notice will be sent to you via mail to advise of the reimbursement or voided citation. If you received a citation from July 17^th to July 28^th and have not received an administrative notice by mid-September, please contact my office at Franconia@fairfax.county.gov or 703-971-6262 and we will do our best to assist you.

You can learn more about the Speed Camera Pilot Program here.

Meet the Mount Vernon Station Commander

I wanted to make sure to share this opportunity to meet the new Mount Vernon Police Commander, Marc Mitchell, with our Franconia district residents.

The event will be Wednesday, August 30^th, from 6-7:30 pm at the Sherwood Hall Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA 22306 in the First Floor Meeting Room.

Franconia district is supported by several police stations, which include Franconia station, Mount Vernon station and West Springfield station.

Final Franconia Nights Summer Concert

This past Wednesday, we enjoyed the performance from the Dave Kline Band for our final event this season. Thank you to the Fairfax County Park Authority for making this summer concert series possible. I hope you enjoyed all the performances this summer!

In the News

Driving Rules Near School Buses

Now that school is back in session, I wanted to share these safety tips with the community.

Fairfax County Public Schools runs more than 1,600 buses daily.And if you drive, there’s no doubt you will encounter FCPS and private school buses. The rules are pretty simple if you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights.

Drivers must stop in both directions, unless separated from the bus by a median. Please remember, it is considered reckless driving - a criminal offense - if you pass a stopped school bus unloading children. It is not worth getting to your destination a few seconds faster when you are risking the safety and lives of others.

Please remember to:

• Stop for school buses with flashing red lights on. 
• Slow down in school zones when lights are flashing; know about the speed camera pilot program.
• Pay attention to, smile and wave at all of our great crossing guards. 

Elections Officers Needed for the General Election November 7th

Fairfax County Office needs election officers for the November 7^th General Election and the 2024 elections. Compensation begins at $250 and training is provided online and in-person for new officers. More information on serving as a Fairfax County election officer can be found here. Apply today.

There is also a need for bilingual Virginia voters who speak Vietnamese and English or Korean and English to serve in the Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church areas. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment. More information on serving as a language election officer can be found here.

2023 Hurricane Season Outlook: What You Need to Know

​Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, and several factors contribute to the formation and development of tropical storms and hurricanes. These include warm ocean waters, an unstable atmosphere, and low vertical wind shear. It’s interesting to note that disturbances called easterly waves typically develop away from the equator.

For more information please visit: 2023 Hurricane Season Outlook: What You Need to Know | Fairfax County Emergency Information (wpcomstaging.com)

Metro Wants Your Feedback - Capacity & Reliability Study

Metro wants your feedback on proposals to improve service and reliability on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

Metro has opened its public engagement and feedback period on six options to address future capacity, reliability, and customer needs on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. The proposed alternatives, part of the Blue/Orange/Silver Capacity and Reliability Study (BOS Study) launched in 2019, include a set of potential infrastructure and operational improvements that will ensure quality service while meeting the needs of the growing region. 

Beginning July 17, Metro has begun to conduct a series of virtual and in-person engagement activities to provide information about the proposed alternatives and receive public input that will help Metro’s Board of Directors select a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). Visit wmata.com/BOSstudy for full details about the proposals and how to weigh in.

The Board’s selection of an LPA is only the first step in a long process. The type of large project needed to address the needs and opportunities on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines will require federal funding as well as support and investment from Metro’s regional partners. Recognizing this, the BOS Study is structured according to federal guidelines and requirements to qualify for federal grants. Projects of this scale can take ten to twenty years or more to plan, design, fund, and build. Metro and the region need to be planning now for our growing region.

Engagement Opportunities: 

Website: Members of the public are encouraged to review materials on the BOS study website, wmata.com/BOSstudy, and provide feedback on the proposed alternatives by responding to an online survey.

Online Survey: The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed alternatives through an online survey. The survey, available in English and Spanish, will be open until September 30, 2023, at wmata.com/BOSstudy.

VISA Gift Card Giveaway: By responding to the survey, respondents may enter for a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card in a drawing to be held once the survey closes. 

Hybrid Public Meetings: In addition, the public is encouraged to register for and attend one of three upcoming hybrid public meetings, either in-person or virtually (online). These hybrid meetings include a live presentation by project staff, followed by a question-and-answer session. 

• Tuesday, September 12 | 6:30-8 PM - Metro L'Enfant Plaza HQ Board Room (300 7th Street SW, Washington DC 20024)

To register for an upcoming meeting, visit: wmata.com/BOSstudy 

About the Study

Metro launched the Blue/Orange/Silver Capacity & Reliability Study (BOS Study) in early 2019 to identify the best and most cost-effective solutions to address ridership, service, and reliability needs on these Metrorail lines. After conducting an analysis of the key issues and trends, Metro developed a broad range of potential options for addressing the study goals. Following two rounds of public engagement and extensive feedback, Metro worked with community stakeholders and local jurisdictions to evaluate and narrow these options to six potential alternatives addressing capacity, reliability, and customer needs on the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines.

Click here to view the proposed alternatives.



The BOS Study is a type of study known as an Alternatives Analysis (AA). The AA complies with best-practices guidelines from the Federal Transit Administration and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This will allow Metro to move forward with the study recommendation(s) and compete for federal funding, while reducing the length and cost of any future environmental review process. The study recommendations will be based on data analysis, with input from regional stakeholders and the public to define the problems and determine the preferred solution. 

For More Information 

To learn more about the project, upcoming engagement activities, and complete the online survey, visit the project website at wmata.com/BOSstudy

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability, or family status. If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 703-683-7447, ext. 115 (TTY: 711) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Rodney L. Lusk

Franconia District Supervisor